askvictor 2 days ago

I make steel cut oats in the pressure cooker; you need to put some fat in there to stop it bubbling while it's cooking, so butter has a physical purpose there too. And also tastes delicious.

  • bell-cot 2 days ago

    For those who haven't done much cooking - this bubble-busting trick works in a wide variety of situations. Very useful.

    Some proteins seem to have a similar effect - but I haven't tried to narrow that down, and don't know the food science behind it.

    • slumberlust 2 days ago

      Is this why my grandma put oil in the pasta pot?

      • wendgeabos 2 days ago

        yes. It also keeps the pasta from sticking together as quickly after you drain it. But an Italian friend made a face and said "it will keep the sauce from adhering to the pasta!!!' so... yeah.

      • askvictor 2 days ago

        Possibly, though most likely because of long standing myths. I've never had a pasta pot boil over, but I cook it without a lid; maybe with a lid it makes a difference. I might also try it next time I boil potatoes, which I usually cook with a lid, and have a tendency to froth over if the heat isn't just right.

      • PaulRobinson 2 days ago

        That's to reduce the pasta sticking together as it cooks.

Marsymars 2 days ago

Presumably you'd want something like olive or avocado oil with less saturated fat.